Status Match From Certain Programs to 1K May Now Be Possible (Jan 2011)

This is mentioned on page 35 of the The New Airlines Status Match thread, but I thought it deserved its own space here in the UMP forum as it directly affects United fliers. This is legit as an EXP friend received the same email from UA yesterday when inquiring about a status match.

Some interesting notes at one mile at a time saying UA will match AA, Delta, Czech Airlines, EVA Airways, and Alitalia.

I can't imagine I am the first to post this in the forum, so if this has already been posted or violates the TC's mods can shut it down.

Hello ******,

Thank you for your interest in our Elite Status Match.

Before we process your request, I wanted to advise you of a couple
changes we made to the program in 2011.

Prior to January 1, 2011, we were not able to match up to 1K status.
The highest level we could upgrade was Premier Executive. The criteria
to maintain the Premier Executive status was 15,000 qualifying flight
miles or 20 qualifying flight segments.

In 2011, we are able to match up to 1K status with the requirements of
35,000 paid, qualifying miles or 40 segments on qualifying flights*
within that 90-day timeframe. The Premier Executive requirements are
fly 17,500 paid, qualifying miles or 22 segments on qualifying
flights* within that 90-day timeframe.

*Qualifying lights must be operated by United, United Express,
Continental, Continental Connection or Continental Express with a
United or Continental flight number and credited to the member's
Mileage Plus account. Flights operated by United, United Express,
Continental, Continental Connection or Continental Express that have a
partner’s codeshare flight number do not qualify. Flights operated by
any other airline do not qualify.

We would like to know if you would like to be upgraded to the 1K level
or the Premier Executive level for your 90 day time-frame. Please
reply to this e-mail and we will be happy to get your request
processed.

Besides the 1K status match -- a significant change from the past. It is also interesting to note that either UA or CO operated & marketed flights qualify -- a logical "enhancement." Other *A codeshares continue not to qualifly.

I called to inquire about this and was told they are matching top tier from AA, Delta, and get ready for this: Czech Airlines, EVA Airways, and Alitalia. However, the more I think about it, I think the agent was saying they are matching to 1K from AA & DL and added those airlines to the status challenge program.

Anyone want to fancy a guess as to whether or not UA will status match under this scenario:

I started a new job in late 2010. Corporate travel got me a comp to Premier Exec. I am Diamond with DL (125K threshold...hit 175K in 2010). Not flying much with US due to the limited UGs at my current level (I never miss an UG on DL).

Wondering if I call and plead my case with all of my DL travel if they would grant me the challenge.

1. The OP only had less than 10 posts
2. One other anonymous person who commented supposedly called

Unless there's something in writing or someone on FT who is believable is able to confirm, I wouldn't read too much into it.

AA certainly isn't going to offer an EXP match just because of some internet rumor.

Now, UA does have 1K "challenge" but it is by invitation only, much like GS. So, this could very well be just an invitation and not available to the public.

Funny you mention this. This all started because my friend emailed asking me to take a look at the response he received from UA regarding a status match request. I searched on FT to see if it had been mentioned and found the email posted here and on one mile at a time with the exact same wording.

I think as more people with top tier status approach UA for a match we will get additional corroboration, but I have no reason to discount it at this time.